Tokyo, Jan. 30 (Jiji Press)—Electric bicycles, or bicycles with a motor attached to assist with pedaling, are enjoying brisk demand as they mark the twenty-fifth anniversary this year since the first model was released in 1993.

According to the industry ministry’ data, sales of electric bicycles in Japan in 2016 grew 15.3% from the previous year to 539,529 units, breaking the threshold of 500,000 units for the first time. In 2017, sales may reach 600,000 units.

The market is growing as the customer base expands from the elderly to younger child-rearing generations and with the arrival of electric sports bicycles. Electric bicycles now account for about 10% of all bicycle sales in Japan, excluding bicycles for toddlers and unicycles.